50 crab traps among items stolen in Ellendale

Tuesday

Delaware State Police have arrested a Georgetown man in connection with a residential burglary sometime between June 18, and July 3, at a residence in the 14000 block of Beaver Dam Road in Ellendale.

The 40-year-old male victim reported that when he returned to his residence following a vacation, he noticed that property was missing and a window was unsecured. Further investigation revealed that a jar containing an undisclosed amount of money, about 50 crab traps and scrap metal were taken.

Troopers were able to identify 29-year-old Eric B. Whitman as the suspect. It was discovered that Whitman had taken the stolen metal to a scra yard, signed the receipt indicating he was the owner and received cash .

On Saturday, July 7, Whitman was arrested and charged with second-degree burglary, theft $1,500 or greater, theft by false pretense under $1,500, selling stolen property value over $1,500, theft under $1,500, theft by false pretense under $1,500 and falsifying business records. He was committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $17,000 secured bond.